In the US, somewhere over 10 million dogs and cats go missing every year from their homes. That alarming number is the reason why several companies have started to develop different methods to help pet owners locate lost animals as quickly as possible.
There are many preventative measures taken by pet owners to avoid their worst nightmare coming to life, but what happens when Fido does go for a wander on his own? The following article explains how you can find your pet with your smartphone when they are lost.
Pet Finding Apps
Whether you have your pet chipped or not, it is also advisable to look into tracking devices that can be worn by your pet, especially if he or she is prone to taking a wander through the neighborhood.
Options from companies such as Tractive, Paw Tracker, Whistle, and Gibi are offering people the possibility of using a GPS device that can be worn by their pet or added to a collar or harness which then relates information about the pet's whereabouts to the owner's smartphone. Through apps downloaded on iOS or Android technology, pet owners can maintain peace of mind knowing that, if their furry friend does decide to wander off at some point, they will be able to track them down using their cell phone.
These very same pet-finding apps allow owners to control other elements also, by establishing a standard perimeter where the pet can roam without setting off alarms, as well as displaying information regarding their activity and their health status.
In the unfortunate case a pet goes missing, an owner can also use these apps to send out alerts to local shelters, adoption centers, veterinary clinics, and other animal welfare organizations so that they can be informed of the situation and aware in case anyone brings the animal in.
Another type of technology that your mobile can offer via downloadable apps is facial recognition technology. There are apps available now, such as Pip and Finding Rover, which permit owners to upload a photo of their four-legged friend that will be scanned and matched to photos uploaded by neighboring shelters and vets for lost animals. This allows families to be reunited with lost pets within hours and avoids many distressing phone calls and searches.
Social Media
Another way to use your smartphone to find your lost pet is by communicating the news to your online environment. That means using your connections via social media and other online communities to inform your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, etc. as soon as possible that you are looking for your pet so they can help in any way possible and keep their eyes open too.
Employing your cell phone to put a message out via Twitter, Facebook, Craigslist, and other social media sites is the fastest way to spread the message and may well reap benefits if the message is passed on throughout your local area from mutual acquaintances to the person who finds your pet.
Pet Community Apps and Websites
Finally, another very common and useful way of using your cellphone to help find a lost pet is to reach out to other online communities such as animal website forums, the ASPCA app, or websites that rely on large databases such as PetHarbor.com, where you can digitally search for your pet while communicating with pet owners who might be able to facilitate other services or information.
Traditional methods for finding a pet are always a good base to start from, but with the ever-evolving technology that we have on our cellphones, it would be a silly mistake not to take full advantage of that to help us in times of need. When we lose sight of our pets, it is a very stressful situation and we should try to use all of the resources we have available. The more options we have, the more likely it is we'll find Fido before long.
